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A Guide to Civil Process for the Citizens of Anoka County

Subpoena Service

This site is intended as a guide to Civil Process for the citizens of Anoka County. The information contained herein is meant to answer the most common questions received by office staff. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS INTENDED ONLY TO BE A GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE PROCEDURES THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOLLOWS. IT IS INFORMATIONAL ONLY AND YOU SHOULD NEVER RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS LEGAL ADVICE TO YOU. IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF HOW TO PROCEED, YOU SHOULD PROTECT YOURSELF BY CONSULTING A LAWYER ABOUT WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL SITUATION. LAWS IN THIS AREA ARE COMPLICATED AND A LAWYER CAN SUGGEST THE APPROPRIATE COURSE OF LEGAL ACTION TO TAKE IN YOUR CASE. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CANNOT GIVE YOU LEGAL ADVICE NOR CAN IT RECOMMEND ANY SPECIFIC LAWYER OR LAW FIRM.

Subpoenas are obtained from the Court Administrators Office, Civil Division in the county where the court action is filed. Service can be made by any person who is not an interested party to the legal action. The Anoka County Sheriff's Office Civil Unit serves subpoenas.

To have the Sheriff’s Office provide service, an original and a copy of the subpoena must be given to the Sheriff’s Office. Following service, the original subpoena is returned to the party requesting service along with a Certificate of Service. It is the responsibility of the party requesting service to return these documents to the Court Administrator.

A subpoena can be served upon the person named therein or left with someone of “suitable age and discretion” who resides at the same address.

In a majority of cases, a witness who has received a subpoena is entitled to witness fees and mileage in advance. If this is the case a check to cover the witness fees and mileage is usually provided to the witness at the time the subpoena is served. It is the responsibility of the person requesting service to pay these fees. To determine if a witness is entitled to fees, please check the statutes and rules applicable to the particular type of court action involved. The type of action in court determines the type of fees.

The Sheriff's Office charges a fee for this service. (See Civil Process Fees.)